Viet Nam demands China withdraw ships out of Viet Nam’s Whitsun Reef
Viet Nam demands that China withdraw its ships out of the Bai Ba Dau (Whitsun Reef) in Viet Nam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, and respect Viet Nam’s sovereignty.
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| A Vietnamese naval soldier stands guard next to the sovereignty marker on Truong Sa Lon Island in Viet Nam's Truong Sa archipelago. (Photo: VNA) |
Deputy spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang made the statement regarding the operation of many Chinese vessels at the Bai Ba Dau, at a regular press conference held virtually by the ministry on November 4.
"As we have affirmed multiple times, Viet Nam has full legal basis and historical evidence to testify to its sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago in accordance with international law; to be entitled to sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction over its waters defined in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS)," she said.
Hang reiterated that Viet Nam resolutely and persistently takes measures under international law to protect such legal and legitimate rights.
The operation of Chinese vessels inside the waters of the Sinh Ton Dong (Grierson Reef) in Viet Nam’s Truong Sa archipelago has seriously violated Viet Nam’s sovereignty and stipulations of the 1982 UNCLOS, and runs counter to the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), the deputy spokesperson stressed.
Viet Nam calls on China to implement the 1982 UNCLOS with goodwill and seriously observe the DOC, creating a favourable environment to reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, and contributing to maintaining peace, security, stability and legal order in regional waters.
(Source: VNA)
